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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I think my marriage is over

63 replies

ladybird1980 · 04/04/2015 07:51

My partner and I have been together for over 17 years, we met when I was quite young which means he is the only person I've ever dated etc. He is a number of years older than me and when we met he dabbled in cannabis. It didn't concern me as I thought it was just a phase, most of my friends had tried it so it was no big deal. As the years went on I forgot about the cannabis and assumed he had grown out of it. However, in year four of our relationship I caught him doing it. I made my thoughts clear on it and said i didn't want to be part of things like that and that if he did he should tell me and I'll walk away. He promised to stop, however, every year I would catch him and we'd go through the same argument. It has been sole destroying. Last year his addiction reached an all time low. He must of been doing stuff in the summerhouse and somehow he unknowingly managed to set it on fire, along with my detached garage and the side of next doors house, setting their Windows on fire etc. I knew he was responsible for it but somehow forgave him. Again be promised to stop and again I begged that if he wanted to do it he should let me go.
After 10 years of marriage I knew we couldn't have children and that something must be wrong. He blamed me and said he knew I didn't want children and that in someway I was stopping it happening. I wasn't. Around three years ago I went to seek medical help. They did all the tests and said that we had unexplained infertility. In order to get treatment I had to lose five stone, in six months! I did this with minimal support from my husband and had to endure him eatng kebabs at weekends etc. I lost the weight and got referred to the clinic. When they told me how much time I had to have of work I freaked out, I didn't want to share my personal life with my boss and was worried as to whether or not I could fit everything in. I did though! I went to the majority of appointments alone and set about injecting myself with the high dose fertility drugs. The drugs had an adverse effect on me and made me feel quite weak. My husband didn't support me at this time and took no notice at all of my symptoms or what I was going through. Not knowing if the treatment would work, I started considering my options. Adoption etc. I spoke to my husband about this and he point blank refused, stating he wanted his own kids. No thought for me out my well-being or indeed how I was juggling things at work. When insemination day was looming, hubby was told to be at the clinic the next day at 10am. It was all a big issue for him, he was saying why can't they change the time etc. No thought for the fact that if been juggling work and treatment for months, daily.
He gave his sperm sample and off he went. A few hours later I was alone in a theatre having my insemination, is all I had for company were my rosary beads. When I got home I didn't feel loved or appreciated it was awful. You see, I'm a strong person so most people take for granted the fact that I'm be ok, I can deal with it/ take it.
During the two week wait for news, I felt ill, the high dosage medication was starting to catch up with me and the toll of the last year was weighing heavy. This was the time I needed my husband to stand up and show me some support but he didn't, instead he started doing drugs again. Again I asked him to stop it or leave. He promised me be Would stop and I believed him. A week later I was told I was pregnant. Great news. However, five weeks ago I thought I was having a miscarriage, I told husband and he wept uncontrollably, no thought for me and and how I was feeling, instead he was breaking down on his own. I wiped away my silent tears and calmly asked him to hold it together. That morning I found myself driving us to the hospital, whilst my husband continued to cry, again no concern for me, all about him. He broke down again when they said my baby was ok but again I felt unsupported as though this was all about him and not me. Again, maybe I am being treated like this because I am seen as a strong person. But being strong is my only option as I've never really had anyone look out for me before. I'm the one doing it for others.
I'm already under a lot of stress with work and family stuff, my dad is mentally ill and puts an immense amount of strain on me, also my mum is a recovering alcoholic and again that causes me stress. And finally my precious grandparent is on deaths door. Last week I caught my husband doing drugs again. I can't take it anymore, I'm at breaking point. I messaged both of his parents asking for help, one ignored my request and the other said it wasn't her problem. Seriously what can I do? I can't tell my family as they are already vulnerable and the fact I may be going it alone will only make them worry and no doubt impact on their health. I can't tell my friends as I don't want them to judge me. I am lonely, I don't know what to do and I can't take it anymore. I feel guilty for letting my miracle baby feel my pain.

OP posts:
GoatsDoRoam · 04/04/2015 08:45

You mention rosary beads. Is your religion part of what is keeping you attached to a self-absorbed man who consistently lets you down? (and who will continue to be self-absorbed and to let you down, and also your child, soon. This is who he is, OP)

When he set the house on fire, you also state that he set fire to "your" garage. Is the house in your sole name?

BIWI · 04/04/2015 08:49

What kind of father do you think he's going to be? Because he's a shit husband.

Read your OP as if someone else had posted it. On the basis of the things you've said, what would you advise someone else?

I'm so sorry you've had such an awful start to your pregnancy - but it really doesn't have to be like this.

He needs to go, and I think you know that.

ladybird1980 · 04/04/2015 08:51

My faith is my faith. They are beads my mom have to me. I took them for luck, Nothing more nothing less. It's our house, we are married.

OP posts:
GoatsDoRoam · 04/04/2015 08:55

Are you ready to speak to a solicitor about divorce?

ladybird1980 · 04/04/2015 08:58

I have no idea what to do. Yes a divorce is on the cards but I'm five months pregnant. How much more stress can I take? The pressure is immense.

OP posts:
GoatsDoRoam · 04/04/2015 09:02

Yes it is. But it is often at times of great stress that underlying issues come to the fore and need to be dealt with: now that you are pregnant, and rightly focused on your pregnancy, his terrible behaviour is no longer tolerable, as it once was. So this is why you are dealing with it now, when it seems that you can't take any more stress.

Also, think of how much stress and unhappiness it causes you when he breaks his word to you, again and again. Divorcing him will remove that emotional drain. You cannot afford that emotional drain when you have a child to think of.

So yes, now is a stressful time to divorce, but it is also the right time to divorce.

BifsWif · 04/04/2015 09:03

5 months! Congratulations. I'm 34 weeks and struggling...no sleep is a killer!

Why don't you take some time to really think about what your next step is going to be? Is staying with family an option while you figure things out? Some space and time to breathe might ease some of the pressure you're feeling.

ladybird1980 · 04/04/2015 09:06

No, my family live in a totally different town. I have no one here. I'm on my own.

OP posts:
ladybird1980 · 04/04/2015 09:08

I nearly miscarried my baby five weeks ago, I am not supposed to be under any stress. I had my blood pressure checked two days ago and it is through the roof. You are a stronger person than me if you can embark on divorce under those circumstances

OP posts:
BIWI · 04/04/2015 09:09

But surely the situation you're in now is creating most of the stress? You don't have to go through a divorce until you're ready - but you do need to get shot of him.

ladybird1980 · 04/04/2015 09:12

Yes I agree with you on that one. I need to take charge i need to be strong......but I can't stop crying, I can't sleep and I now cannot cope with all of this.

OP posts:
TheProvincialLady · 04/04/2015 09:15

It sounds like you don't want to grow up and take responsibility either. You have chosen to stay with this man. You have chosen to issue repeated ultimatums about his cannabis use and still stayed with him even when he set fire to your property. You have chosen to bring a new life into the world with a totally unsuitable person....and now you want his parents to sort it out for you (how?).

For your own sake and your child's, get out, move on and take responsibility. This man is never going to and it's literally insane to keep expecting and hoping that he will. Put the energy and focus that you put into losing 5 stones into losing another 13. You and your baby deserve a whole lot better.

Quitelikely · 04/04/2015 09:16

Stop investing in this man emotionally. He's not going to be who you want him to be.

Don't do anything now. Just prepare for the birth. Get all the baby stuff ready.

Get yourself booked in for a massage.

Focus on you. And your unborn baby.

Flowers
BifsWif · 04/04/2015 09:18

Ok forget divorce at the minute, you need to do what the doctors say.

If staying as you are for the time being causes less stress, can you do that? If you need to leave now to ease the stress on you and baby, can you check into a hotel for a while?

magoria · 04/04/2015 09:19

He isn't going to believe a word you say when every last year for 13 years you have said you will leave if you find out he is still doing drugs.

He carries on doing it you stay.

He has never supported you, been strong for you or given a shit what you are going through. He won't change. Why should he? It doesn't affect or upset him at all.

All you can change is you. If you want out sort out leaving. It will be easier now than after the child is actually here.

ICallConnerie · 04/04/2015 09:24

I know divorce and separation seem a very stressful thing but staying with him is more stressful surely. How will you relax with your newborn if your worrying about this? Worrying about him setting fire to the house... worrying about him holding your child whilst high... worrying about him being too self absorbed to see you need help in those early days... Honestly, staying together will be much more stressful.

I would leave because it seems a much bigger issue then the drugs. So many of your statements had "with no thought for me" in them and that tells you everything you need to know about his respect and love.

I would also make it very clear to him that the consequence of his drug habit will be wide reaching - not only has it helped to end your marriage, but it also means his contact with the baby will be limited as you cannot trust him.

He has enough time now to seek professional help and sort himself out so it's down to him to correct that.

ICallConnerie · 04/04/2015 09:29

Also, divorce shouldn't be on the cards right now. Just getting out is what you should be thinking.

The legal side of things will take months and months and doesn't need to be the focus right now.

You are the focus right now.

Your baby is the focus right now.

You don't have to be strong for him or your marriage. You have to be strong for yourself and your baby and that means removing the most stressful thing risking your health and happiness and that is clearly him.

ladybird1980 · 04/04/2015 09:33

frankly I find your comments quite insulting. 'I don't want to grow up'? With regard to his parents I wanted some support, where is the problem in that? Isn't it normal to ask for help if you're struggling with something?
Your advice is wasted on me, you are not the fountain of all knowledge, far from it.

OP posts:
ladybird1980 · 04/04/2015 09:33

To the rest of you, I really appreciate your comments and kind words

OP posts:
Ledkr · 04/04/2015 09:57

What struck me op, is that you lost 5 stones in 6 months and went through difficult fertility treatment with no support and whilst working.
I think that makes you a very strong and capable person who can certainly cope with the going it alone.which to me seems far easier than what you have akready coped with.
Also stop pining any hopes on him giving up weed because he sounds entrenched in it's many users are and is highly unlikely to quit urs he wants to.
I think you will feel fantastic once you real away from this destructive marriage and begin your nice life with your new baby.

paxtecum · 04/04/2015 10:04

Ladybird, it is very unlikely that he will stop smoking cannabis.
My XH is 63 and still doing it.
His brain is completely addled.

Your life will be so much easier if you are not living with DH.

Maybe have a free 30 min appointment with a solicitor.

SanityClause · 04/04/2015 10:05

Go to your GP. Get this all documented. This is not good for your health, or your baby's. How can a HCP properly advise you about stress when they don't know what's going on? Also, if you do split up, having the drug use documented will help keep your baby safe.

I'm sorry you are going through this, but you need to understand, this isn't about you and him, now. This is about your baby.

You have a choice about whether you are strong enough to take all this. Your baby does not. (In the same way you didn't get the choice when you were a child.)

Also, stop trying to protect your parents. They have to cope for themselves. I know that sounds callous, but you really can't prop up the whole world!

Perhaps you could speak to an organisation like AlAnon, who support family and partners of alcoholics and drug users. They can help you with your dealings with your parents, and your husband.

I'm sorry that this is a harsh post. I'm not unsympathetic, but you do need to start dealing with these issues in new ways, because what you've always done is not working!

Flowers
dreamingofblueskies · 04/04/2015 10:10

I agree with ledkr, you do sound very strong to have done everything you have done so far, not only by yourself, but with the added stress of your partner being incredibly selfish.

I know that raising a baby alone is a very daunting prospect, but it will be easier than having to worry about your partner and what shitty thing he's going to do/say next.

You deserve this time to be peaceful, not stressful, and it seems to me that you will get that peace by telling him to leave, even if only for a trial period if you can't face going the whole hog at the moment.

Flowers
JaceyBee · 04/04/2015 10:15

It sounds like the cannabis is the least of the problems. Your H's total lack of consideration towards you is much more of an issue surely? Stopping smoking weed isn't going to magically transform his personality. Do you know why you've become so fixated on this fairly minor (as drugs go) behaviour?

Ledkr · 04/04/2015 10:23

jacey you'd be surprised at the effect that weed can have on someone's personality.
It makes them selfish, stroppy and lacking in compassion or care for anyone but themselves.
Truly hideous drug imo.
I say that as a professional and unfortunately the mother of a weed addict who sounds similar Sad